BELL PEPPERS STUFFED WITH BLACK BEANS

1 tbsp canola oil

6 large green (or red or yellow) bell peppers, seeded and cored
2 cans (15-oz each) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp chili powder
1 cup shredded Mexican-Blend cheese
1 cup your favorite jarred salsa
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream for garnish, if desired

Heat the oil in a medium skillet; add the onion and sauté until crisp tender.  Add the cayenne pepper, oregano, cumin, and the chili powder; remove from heat.

In a mixing bowl, mash 1 can of the beans with the seasoned sautéed onions.  Mix in the remaining can of beans.

Arrange the bell peppers, cut side up, in slow cooker or crock pot; spoon the bean mixture into the peppers.  Top bean mixture with the cheese.  Pour the salsa over cheese; cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.  May cook for half that time on high.

To serve, add a dollop of sour cream atop each pepper, if desired.

File photo used for reference only. This is not a picture of this recipe.

TASTE OF THE ISLANDS PORK ROAST

3 lb boneless Boston butt pork roast

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp liquid smoke
1 can (20-oz) crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tbsp grated orange zest
1 tbsp grated lemon zest
3 tbsp sugar (same amount of Splenda Granulated may be substituted)
2 tbsp cornstarch

Combine the soy sauce, liquid smoke, pineapple, orange and lemon juices, orange and lemon zest, and sugar in a medium saucepan.  Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat; add cornstarch, stirring constantly until mixture is thickened.

Place the roast in a slow cooker or crockpot.  Pour half the above mixture over the roast; reserve remaining mixture. 

Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 to 5 hours. 

Warm the remaining sauce mixture and serve over the pork.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

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CHICKEN BREASTS WITH WILD MUSHROOMS

6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 can (10 3/4-oz) fat-free cream of chicken soup
1 can (10 3/4-oz) fat-free cream of mushroom soup
8 cremini mushrooms, sliced
2 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
2 tbsps dried porcini mushrooms
1 tbsp fresh Italian parsley, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 pkg (16-oz) eggless noodles, cooked and drained

Season chicken with the lemon juice, pepper, salt, and garlic powder; place in crockpot or slow cooker.

In a mixing bowl combine the soups, mushrooms, parsley, and garlic clove; pour over the chicken.

Place lid on cooker and cook 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high.

To serve place chicken over the noodles and drizzle the cooking sauce overall.

file photo for reference - not this exact recipe

 

BEEF STROGANOFF

1 1/2 lbs beef stew meat, cubed

1 tbsp olive or canola oil
1 jar (4-oz) sliced mushrooms
1 tbsp dried minced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp thyme
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 carton (8-oz) sour cream
1/2 cup white whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup water
4 cups hot cooked noodles for serving

Heat oil in a large skillet and brown the beef; drain.

In a slow cooker, combine the beef, mushrooms, onions, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, thyme and bay leaf. Pour in the beef broth. Place lid on cooker and cook on low 8-10 hours or on high 4 to 5 hours. Discard bay leaf.

Turn cooker to high (if on low).

Mix the sour cream, flour and water together. Stir in 1 cup of the hot cooking liquid. Pour mixture into the cooker, stir to combine and place lid back on cooker. Cook on high 30 minutes or until thickened and bubbly.

Serve over the hot cooked noodles.

Yield: 6 servings

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CHICKEN AND RED POTATOES

2 tbsp butter, softened

8 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 (about 3-lb) whole chicken
1 cup chicken broth
3 tbsp lemon juice
6 red potatoes, cut in half
3 or 4 carrots, cut up - optional
fresh minced chives or cilantro for garnish, if desired

Make a rub by combining the butter, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl; rub over chicken and in the cavity of the chicken.  Lift skin and rub under skin where possible.

Place the chicken along with the broth, lemon juice and potato halves into a crockpot or slow cooker.  Place lid on cooker and cook on low 8 to 10 hours.  Or you may cook on high 4 to 5 hours.

Using a large spatula remove the chicken from the cooker.  Use a slotted spoon to remove the potatoes.  Garnish with the chives or cilantro before serving, if desired.

Yield: 4 servings

 

File Photo

QUILTER'S PEPPER STEAK

You can put this in your crockpot or slow cooker and quilt (or whatever else you do) for the rest of day!

2 lbs round steak, fat trimmed off
1to 2 tbsp flour
2 tbsp canola oil
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp seasoned salt
1 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1 small jar pimento, drained, and chopped
2 large green bell peppers, cut into rings, divided
1 cans (16-oz each) diced tomatoes, divided
1/2 cup cold water
1/4 cup brewed coffee
1 tbsp cornstarch
Cooked buttered noodles or rice for serving

Cut steak into strips.  Heat oil in a large skillet. Dredge steak strips in the flour with the seasoned salt added.  Brown in the hot oil until browned on all sides.

Meanwhile, put the soy sauce, onion, garlic, sugar, salt, pepper, ginger, one cup of the tomatoes, 1 bell pepper, and the coffee into the crockpot, stirring to blend.  Add the browned steak to the pot, cover, and cook on low 5 to 6 hours.

Add the remaining pepper rings, remaining tomatoes, and the pimento; cook another hour.  Using a slotted spoon, remove the steak from the cooker and place on a serving platter. 

Mix the cornstarch with the cold water until blended.  Pour mixture into the sauce in the cooker, stirring well to incorporate.  Continue cooking until sauce has thickened.  Pour the sauce over the beef.

Serve steak and sauce over hot buttered noodles or rice.

 This is a file photo.

MEATLESS SLOPPY JOES

2 cups thinly sliced onions

2 cups chopped green bell peppers
1 can kidney beans, drained and mashed
1 can (8-oz) tomato sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 tsp chili powder
cider vinegar, optional
4 whole-grain sandwich rolls, split

Combine the onions, bell peppers, beans, tomato sauce, garlic, ketchup, mustard, and chili powder in a crock-pot or slow cooker.  Stir in the cider vinegar, if using.  Place lid on cooker and cook approximately 5 hours on low setting. 

Serve on the sandwich rolls with your favorite condiments such as lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, thin avocado slices, etc.

 File photo for reference only.

ADIRONDACK BEANS

1/2 lb ground beef

1 tsp prepared mustard
1/4 lb bacon, cut into small pieces
1/2 lb bulk sausage
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup molasses
1 can pork & beans
1 can chili beans
1 can kidney beans, drained

In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, crumble the ground beef and sausage together with the bacon and cook until done.  Remove from pan and drain, reserving 2 tablespoons of the drippings.  Sauté the onion in the drippings until softened. 

Combine all the ingredients together in a crockpot or slow cooker; cover and cook on high setting for 2 to 3 hours or on low setting for 5 to 6 hours.

Note:  May be baked at 350 degrees for 1 to 1 1/2 hours in a casserole dish or bean pot.

 File Photo

CHEESY CHICKEN AND POTATOES

 

Even though I don't eat chicken, my family loves it.  This is my version of an old Kraft recipe. I took their idea and changed it to suit my family's taste.

1 green bell pepper, sliced

1 medium yellow onion, sliced

6 red potatoes, quartered

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

4 skinless chicken breast halves

4 skinless chicken thighs
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried onion flakes
1 cup Mexican-style shredded cheese
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp dried parsley flakes

Spray slow cooker interior with nonstick cooking spray.  Layer bell pepper slices, onion slices, and potatoes in the cooker.

Sprinkle the paprika, salt, and pepper over the chicken, place chicken over the veggies in cooker.

Combine the uncondensed soup, garlic powder, onion flakes, and Worcestershire sauce; pour over all in cooker.  Sprinkle with the cheese and parsley flakes.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low 6 to 8 hours or on high approximately half that time until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.

 

 

"HOT" CHEESE AND BACON DIP

16 slices bacon, diced

2 blocks (8-oz each) cream cheese, softened, cut into cubes
4 cups mild shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup half-and-half cream
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dry minced onion
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp salt
2 to 3 drops of hot pepper sauce

Fry bacon in a large skillet until crispy, drain on paper towels and set aside.

Place the cheeses, half-and-half cream, Worcestershire sauce, minced onion, mustard, salt, and hot pepper sauce in a crock pot or slow cooker.  Cover and cook on low for about an hour or until the cheese melts, stirring occasionally.  Stir in the bacon and serve dip directly from the cooker, if desired.

file photo for reference